“They criticize me for harping on the 0bvious; if all folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.” Calvin Coolidge

I began my journey of life in 1954.  I was blessed with living in the 60s  when life was much simpler and life was enjoyed at a much slower pace.  A time when eating at a “fast food” restaurant was considered a treat and “drive ins” were still popular.  We actually played outside and enjoyed each others company.  We took family vacations, at the supper table we talked about our day and behaved as a family unit.  We grew our own food and canned meat and vegetables for the winter months.  We went fishing, picked blackberries, polk salad and hunted mushrooms. We rode in the back of a pick up truck, played in the creek, caught lightning bugs, and said “yes ma’am/sir”, “no ma’am/sir” and respected those around us.

Money was tight but life was good.  I look at today’s world and wonder where it all went.  Everyone is in a hurry, fast food is the norm and technology,(I agree some advances are good) has seemed to steal time and interaction from the American family. Instant gratification is in demand, even though that I didn’t think politicians could become more corrupt. they have, pollution is running rampant, and everyone is too busy to stop and smell the roses.  Today’s children don’t know what it is to lose, abortion numbers are unbelievable, racism seems to becoming unmanageable, our government steals our social security money and hate has seemed to replace love.

In closing I would like to thank all who read my rant.  I fear the direction this country is heading.  We need to inject the simple things back into our lives again.  We need to rely less on the government and start helping each other more.  Churches need to step up to the pump and start using some of those tithes to help the needy and homeless in their communities.  We desperately need to stop fanning the flames of racism.  Veterans desperately need our help and we need to start paying attention to them and their needs.  We need to start becoming more self reliant.  Plant gardens, can our own food and become our own person.

“The future is always beginning now.”  Mark Strand

Your future is yours to make.  It is your dreams and decisions that will paint your future.  Make the best of it.  Your choices can make it simple or hard, happy or sad and your actions will form the opinions of those around you.  Keep life simple.  Enjoy the small things in life and spread the love, “Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us, and the greatest is love.”  Alan Jackson “Where Were You” (When the World Stopped Turning)